Syracuse felon sentenced to three years in federal prison for gun possession

Syracuse, NY -- A Syracuse man who pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon was sentenced today to more than three years in federal prison, federal prosecutors announced.

Jerel Wigfall, 34, of Syracuse, admitted in federal court in January to having an unloaded .41-caliber Magnum revolver when he went to a fight Sept. 19 at a Brighton Avenue residence. When police arrived after a call of a disturbance, Wigfall admitted he ran from the area with the gun.

Wigfall was found after a short chase in a nearby back yard, lying in a pile of brush and trying to cover himself with a tarp, prosecutors said. The revolver was found under some branches and debris close to where Wigfall was arrested, prosecutors said.

The firearm was reported as being stolen in 1987, prosecutors said. Wigfall was convicted of a drug felony in 2004. After Wigfall finishes his 37-month sentence, he will be placed on supervised release for three years.

The case was investigated by Syracuse police and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.